Virtual Animal Science Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147
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About the role:
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist with hybrid expertise spanning systems neuroscience, computer-vision, pose-tracking, behavioral ML, and VR technology to join the Schulze Lab. In this role, you will integrate custom hardware and software with computational analysis pipelines to probe the neural circuits underlying collective behavior and social cognition. To design and apply your own virtual reality paradigms, you will be working closely with our lab's VR specialist and collaborate across the team to investigate the rich, naturalistic behavior we study in Danionella. Further, you will use multi-animal tracking and behavioral classification to study latent structures and create brain-behavior maps.
This is an excellent opportunity for a scientifically driven researcher who is comfortable tinkering and who is motivated to advance the understanding of how individuality, sex differences, and stress shape the brain and decision-making in groups.
About the lab:
The Schulze Lab addresses a central question: how do neural circuits compute the experience-dependent actions animals deploy in complex, social worlds? The lab studies how individual traits, internal state, and context interact to shape both personal behavioral trajectories and group-level outcomes. We put a particular focus on the neural basis of inter-individual differences, sexually dimorphic and stress-related features expressed in social contexts such as schooling behavior. We use data-driven approaches for realistic closed-loop controlled VR-experiments, combined with two-photon calcium imaging and molecular phenotyping at single-cell resolution to investigate brain-wide circuits in the adult vertebrate brain. Further, we use LICONN for ultrastructural analyses. More information about the Schulze lab can be found here: the Schulze Lab page.
In addition, the HHMI Janelia Research Campus provides a highly collaborative, resource-rich environment for our work.
What we provide:

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
• Access to Janelia's facilities and engineering support for imaging, custom-hardware, scientific computing, Unity-based visual environments, in-situ hybridization, and dissection.
• A highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research campus with close ties to labs working across systems neuroscience, computation, modeling, and tool development.
• One-on-one mentorship.
• Support to attend and present at scientific conferences.
• Amenities that enhance work-life balance such as on-site childcare, free gyms, available on-campus housing, social and dining spaces, and convenient shuttle bus service to Janelia from the Washington D.C. metro area.

What you'll do:

• Design VR systems and paradigms to present naturalistic, socially rich stimuli.
• Write software to integrate ML-based/agentic approaches for multi-animal studies.
• Develop and execute experiments investigating the neural circuits underlying inter-individual differences, sexually dimorphic and stress-related traits in social behavior.
• Analyze the multivariate whole-brain activity, behavioral, and stimulus data using computational approaches. Interpret results in the context of project goals.
• Prepare technical reports, protocols, and quantitative analyses, and maintain familiarity with current literature in systems neuroscience and VR-based behavioral neuroscience.
• Collaborate with the lab's VR specialist and other members of the Janelia community.

What you bring:

• A Ph.D. in neuroscience, computer science, engineering, or a closely related field.
• A hybrid background bridging software-hardware integration and computational as well as ML skills with a solid grounding in systems neuroscience.
• Demonstrated experience building or working with complex rigs, such as VR systems for behavioral neuroscience research.
• Working knowledge of scientific principles and the ability to exercise independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.
• Ability to perform highly complex experiments with high levels of reliability and accuracy within time constraints.
• Genuine interest in the neural basis of inter-individual differences, including sexually dimorphic and stress-related features in social contexts such as schooling behavior.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports and contribute to publications.

Physical Requirements
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Compensation:
A Postdoc 00 (0 to 1 year research experience after obtaining a PhD) is compensated at a rate of $74,200.00 annually at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.
Pay Type:
Annual
HHMI's salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers.
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Compensation and Benefits
Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.
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